Why Backup Plans Save Ministries (and Sanity)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in tech ministry, it’s this: if it can go wrong, it eventually will.
That might sound pessimistic, but it’s really just preparation. Servers crash. Cables fail. Computers decide to update at the worst possible time. And of course, it usually happens five minutes before service starts.
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that the difference between panic and peace on Sunday morning often comes down to one thing: a backup plan.
When the Unexpected Happens
A few years ago, I was running sound and media for a youth service. Everything was set up, checked, and ready to roll. But right before the countdown video started, ProPresenter froze. Completely locked up. No slides. No lyrics. Just a spinning rainbow wheel of doom.
That’s not just a tech problem—it’s a ministry problem. Because without slides, students can’t sing along. Volunteers panic. Worship leaders get frustrated. And the focus shifts away from worship to “what in the world is going on back there?”
Thankfully, we had a backup laptop synced with the presentation. All it took was switching the HDMI input, and we were back in business. The service went on like nothing happened.
Backup Plans Aren’t Optional
That experience cemented something for me: backup plans aren’t a luxury in ministry—they’re essential.
Here are a few areas where backups have saved us countless times:
Streaming Systems: Having a fallback encoder or alternate streaming path when OBS decides to crash. Lighting Cues: Saving multiple versions of show files so one corrupted file doesn’t ruin a service. Audio Gear: Keeping a spare mic battery pack or cable within reach—because they will die in the middle of a sermon. Internet: Hotspotting from a phone when the church Wi-Fi suddenly stops cooperating.
Planning for Failure = Planning for Success
It’s not just about avoiding disaster—it’s about creating confidence. When volunteers know there’s a backup plan, they’re calmer. When leaders know the tech team has thought ahead, they can focus on ministry instead of micromanaging.
And honestly? It helps me too. Knowing I have a Plan B (and sometimes a Plan C) gives me the freedom to breathe and keep perspective.
A Lesson from 850 Tech Gurus
This principle applies outside of church as well. At 850 Tech Gurus, one of the first things I look at when helping a client is their backup strategy. Whether it’s a small business with important data or a church with mission-critical Sunday streams, the question is always the same: “What happens if this fails?”
Because if you don’t have an answer, you’re one crash away from chaos.
The Bottom Line
In ministry, technology isn’t the main thing—but it supports the main thing. And when tech fails, it can distract people from what really matters. That’s why backup plans matter so much.
It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared so ministry can happen without unnecessary interruptions.
So if you’re serving in tech ministry (or any area of life, really), here’s my advice:
Always assume something will break. Always ask, “What’s my backup?” And always keep an extra HDMI cable in your bag. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself later.
Filed under: Uncategorized - @ September 17, 2025 6:05 pm